Why Owner Departure Cleans Still Incur a Charge – A Quick Guide for Our Holiday Home Owners
We understand that as a holiday home owner, you take pride in your property and often wish to leave it clean and tidy when you depart. From time to time, we’ve had a few questions around why there is still a cleaning charge, even after an “owner clean.” So, we wanted to offer a little clarity on how it all works, and why a reduced – but still necessary – fee may be applied.
The Role of The Devon Cleaning Company (DCC)
As you know, The Devon Cleaning Company (DCC) is responsible for ensuring that every guest arrives to a spotless, well-prepared home. This includes addressing any guest concerns swiftly, and returning to the property if anything needs attention – even after an owner has cleaned. This professional responsibility means DCC must be confident in the state of the property before every new arrival, regardless of who last stayed.
The Real Cost – It’s Not Just Cleaning
A large portion of the cleaning charge comes not from surface cleaning, but from laundering:
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All bed linen and towels must be professionally cleaned and pressed.
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These costs are set by the launderette used by DCC, and with fuel and energy prices on the rise, this is a substantial – and unavoidable – expense.
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DCC still needs to collect and deliver this linen to and from the launderette, manage storage, and ensure everything is in place ahead of the next booking.
Even After an Owner Clean…
Even if you’ve done a fantastic job yourself (and many of you really do!), DCC must:
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Visit the property post-departure to check for anything that might have been missed.
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Make up the beds with clean, laundered linen.
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Restock essentials and place the welcome pack for the incoming guests.
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Spot-check areas like bins, ovens, fridges, and bathrooms – as guests have sharp eyes and we want to maintain our standards across the board.
In short, the team does more than just a wipe-down; they ensure that every property meets guest-ready standards.
Why There’s Still a Charge (But Less Than a Full Clean)
While an owner clean does reduce the scope of work, there is still time, labour, and logistics involved. As much as DCC would love to offer this service free of charge, it simply isn’t feasible – especially as they are also juggling tight turnarounds, fluctuating energy prices, and a high expectation of service.
That said, where you’ve completed the majority of the cleaning yourself, the charge will absolutely be lower than a full guest clean. It’s just important to know that some cost will still apply due to the necessary tasks that follow your departure.
Thank You for Your Understanding
We’re incredibly grateful for how proactive and caring so many of you are with your holiday homes. By continuing to work in partnership with you and DCC, we ensure that every guest walks into a property that feels welcoming, spotless, and ready for a memorable stay.
If you have any questions at all about departure cleans or anything else property-related, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
DC Warm regards,
The Devon Holidays Team